LA ORANGE COUNTY 10.21.2025

Brendan Martin

I started rapping in high school, which led me to opening locally for Wu-Tang and Mac Miller. Through college I kept that momentum, opening for major artists like Lupe Fiasco and J. Cole at both my school and big venues around Albany, New York. After graduating, I gave myself one year to see if I could make music financially sustainable-and I did. Read more>>

Yuna Bae

My journey began with a simple passion for teaching math and a strong belief that every child can develop confidence in learning when guided with patience and creativity. Since high school and throughout college, I tutored math as a side job, and it quickly became something I truly enjoyed. Read more>>

Jeffrey Briar

Comedy stage performer since age 16; Yoga teacher since age 18. Discovered ‘LAUGHTER YOGA,’ took the training with the work’s creator, Dr. Madan Kataria, in 2005. Started Laguna Laughter Club in 2005 and soon it met seven days per week (and did so for 15 and 1/2 years). Was the only 7-day-a-week in the world outside Asia. Read more>>

Amy Tierney

Absolutely, I’m happy to share my story with you. I started my career as a social worker. At the time, I was in my mid-20s—very idealistic and passionate about advocating for disenfranchised populations. I worked as a medical social worker for many years at several large teaching hospitals throughout Southern California. Read more>>

Lyena Atonyicq

I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine — a city that sings even when it’s silent. Music became my first language before I could even spell my name. I grew up at the piano, pouring my emotions into the keys — joy, loss, wonder — everything. Read more>>

Rajiv Joshi

From a young age, I was fascinated by psychology and drawn to understanding people’s inner worlds. I’ve always had a deep appreciation for supporting those in need and helping them find meaning and connection in their lives. Read more>>

Tania Madril

My entrepreneurial spirit started back in high school — I was that kid selling candy between classes. That little hustle sparked something in me. Soon after, I got into couponing; I’d take my mom, sister, and friends to the store and teach them how to stack deals and save money. Read more>>

Marianela Avila

My journey with newborns began more than 20 years ago in Panama, where caring for little ones quickly became my greatest joy. In 2008, I moved to the United States as an Au Pair for a wonderful family of four in Winnetka, Illinois, including a sweet newborn who reminded me just how meaningful this work is. Read more>>

Vern Williams

I grew up in South Los Angeles, and my parents taught me to work hard, be as independent as possible, and most importantly if you are going to put your trust in anyone put your trust in God. I carried these principles with me into my adulthood, and I was fortunate to get married and become a father of two. Read more>>

Tami Molar

I have been in the massage industry for over 23 years. After a brief sabbatical from massage, I rediscovered Lymphatic Drainage Massage, and it reignited y passion for healing. Read more>>

Lizzie Bork

I’ve been drawing since I could hold a pencil, and art has always been a central part of my life. Before the pandemic, I was actually pursuing a career as an opera singer. I had trained for years and loved everything about the performing arts. It wasn’t until the lockdown that I realized it might not be the right fit for me after all. Read more>>

Art Rothafel

– ABOUT ME I grew up in New England where my family lived an active, outdoor lifestyle — pretty typical for a kid growing up in the 60s. But there was one thing that set the stage for everything that came next. – MY FIRST TASTE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP I was 12 years old when I mowed my first lawn and got paid for it. Read more>>

Pshemek Drabczynski

I was born in Poland in 1966 during Cold War where I grew up. Since I was a child I loved playing sports like skiing, tennis and martial arts. In 1988 I left my hopeless communist country first to Austria then Canada in 1990 where I met my wife. Read more>>

Robyn Solovei

I was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. My mother was the last born Jewish child in the small village of Marburg, Germany in December of 1936, at the onset of WWII. While my grandparents managed to survive the atrocities of the war by escaping to South Africa, most of their families were murdered by the Nazis. Read more>>

Mary Lou Kerins

I grew up with a younger sister who has Down syndrome and was naturally cast into a helping role from a young age, so it always felt like second nature to support others. I know that’s also where I developed patience with people who process and function differently than I do. Read more>>

Karl Tipre

In 2007 I was hired by AnaJet, Inc in Costa Mesa. AnaJet was a small industrial printer manufacturer start up. AnaJet was one of the first companies in the US to create apparel printers used to print graphics on garments using white ink. Read more>>

Heath Chadwick

I started in construction straight out of high school in 1987. How was the roofer back then and I loved it. From there I went into being a stacker that’s rolling trusses for housing tracks. Read more>>

Liz Koren

It was through volunteer work in high school that I was first introduced to the field of Occupational Therapy. I was immediately drawn to the blend of science, compassion, and creativity. Those early experiences led me to pursue OT in college and eventually graduate school at Boston University. Read more>>

Kelela Batinga

My parents put me in dance before I can remember and I have been passionate about it ever since. I was raised with the entrepreneurial mindset and ever since I was little I was starting businesses. Read more>>

Mike Salas

I grew up as what I call a “motel kid.” My family and I bounced from place to place, chasing stability that always seemed a few doors down. Art became my escape, my vice before I even knew what that word meant. While other kids found consistency in homes or schools, I found it in sketchbooks and color. Read more>>

Rebecca Black

My story with Sandrift Gallery really began when I discovered surfing at almost 50 years old. That might sound like a late start, but falling in love with the ocean at that stage of life was transformative in ways I never expected. Read more>>

David Gonzalez

So, I am a professional hypnotherapist, and it has certainly been an interesting journey that led me into this profession. Hypnosis has always been a fascinating subject for me. In my younger years, I became interested in sleight-of-hand card magic. As a young adult, it was a very fun hobby, and I loved using it to amaze and entertain people. Read more>>

Karen Fischer

I’ve been a Paralegal since 1999 with my main focus being Construction Litigation. In 2019, I had received a phone call from a young man who had a legal document preparation business. He asked me a few questions and that was it. Two years later in 2021, he reached out to me to ask if I’d like to buy his business. I said, yes!!! Read more>>

Dina Kleiman

I never planned to become a spiritual teacher — in fact, I started my career in one of the least “woo-woo” places imaginable: corporate IT. I lived by calendars, systems, and logic. But even though life looked good on paper, something in me felt… quiet. Like I was living half of a story. That whisper grew louder until I couldn’t ignore it anymore. Read more>>

Kirstin Weston

I’ve always loved the piano, and I started formal piano lessons when I was 5 years old. I had the opportunity to start teaching piano when I was 15 and my younger brother needed lessons. Read more>>

Boris Ackerman

I discovered my fascination with plastic surgery early in my medical education. The idea of combining art with surgical techniques captured my imagination After finishing my plastic surgery residency, I was recruited by two well-known plastic surgeons, one in Beverly Hills and another in Newport Beach. After a few years keeping the two offices, it became clear to me that I belong in Newport Beach. Read more>>

Donya Delsouz

The story of All Borrow began long before I became an entrepreneur, it started with the way I grew up. I was born in Iran, where borrowing from family, friends, and neighbors was simply part of everyday life. If someone needed a dress, a dish, or even a sewing machine, they’d just borrow it from someone nearby. Read more>>

Bonni Brahmbhatt

Absolutely! I’m a self-taught artist from Orange County, CA. I discovered my ‘style’ later in life. It developed a few years ago when I came across artists pouring paint directly onto canvases — no brushes, no rules, just letting gravity and motion do the work! Read more>>

Edward Pinela III

I’ve always been fascinated by how ideas turn into results — how strategy, data, and people come together to create impact. My background is in business finance and I hold an MBA, so I started out focused on the numbers — performance, efficiency, ROI. Read more>>

Emily Vitogiannis

When I graduated high school, I didn’t take the traditional route most people expected. College never felt like me. I wanted freedom — to travel, to explore, and to figure out who I really was before settling into anything. Somewhere along the way, I realized that regular school wasn’t for me. Read more>>

Divij Hemrajani

I grew up around clothing, fabric, chalk, pins, and measuring tapes. My family has been in the tailoring business since the early 1960s, when my uncles opened their first custom shop in Hong Kong. My father, the youngest of the eight brothers, carried on the business — and he’s the one I first apprenticed under. Read more>>

Gina Rodriguez

My story really began in 2009, during the height of the Tiger Woods scandal. At the time, I personally knew some of the women who were suddenly thrust into an international media storm. The world was watching, the press was relentless, and I realized quickly that there was no one guiding or protecting these women through the chaos. Read more>>

Maddie Wine

MadGlow Beauty started five years ago at one of the lowest times in my life. I was a single mom working nights in the hospitality industry, taking naps in my car while waiting to pick up my kids, and just trying to make ends meet. I felt like I was losing myself mentally, emotionally, and physically, and I knew something had to change. Read more>>

Candice Swanson

It all started with a camera class in high school, a deep love for babies once I had my son as a senior in high school that somehow turned into this amazing full-circle career I never could’ve planned. Read more>>

Nastaran Foyouzi Yousefi

I was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, where my early fascination with the miracle of life inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. After completing medical school and an OB/GYN residency in Iran, I realized that my true passion lay in the field of reproductive medicine—helping individuals and couples build the families they dream of. Read more>>

Marie Morgan

About a year ago, I discovered modern Pilates, and honestly, it completely changed my life. I went into it just looking for a good workout, but what I found was so much more. I started feeling stronger, more confident, and more grounded. Not just in my body, but in my mindset, too. That experience lit a spark in me. Read more>>

Dr. Corrin Harris

Hi there – I’m Dr. Corrin Harris, a second-generation, female, queer Doctor of Chiropractic and the founder of House of Chiropractic in North Huntington Beach, California – located in Peter’s Landing Marina, in the heart of the Sunset Beach community, just minutes from the Long Beach border. You could say chiropractic is in my blood. Read more>>

Kathryn Alvarez

I’m a California native, born and raised, and for as long as I can remember, I wanted to work in a field that helped people. At 19, I was a peer counselor at Orange Coast College, with dreams of transferring to Chapman University to earn a degree in psychology. At 22, my life took a detour. Read more>>

Chloe Kern

Growing up, I was always experimenting with my parents’ cameras, phones, and Polaroids — but my real passion for photography began in sixth grade when I enrolled in a photography elective. I bought my first DSLR camera soon after and continued doing photoshoots for fun all throughout high school. Read more>>

Tony Choo

We started the business back in thanksgiving week of 2023. We used be an online antique exporter so the stuff that’s decorated in the store was actually our left over from the previous business. We were running it until Covid hit and changed the whole world and that’s when the business started going down hill. Read more>>

Jessica Peterson

I started my business back in 2006. I wanted the freedom to do two things I loved, bookeeping and teaching dance. But a typical 9-5 job wouldn’t allow me to do that. When I met my ex-husband, I turned my bookkeeping business into a virtual business and moved to Hawaii. Read more>>

Reginald E. Ward

Reginald E. Ward Aka Coach Reggie Story Theme of Life Romans 8:28 “For all things work together for the good, for those love the Lord, who are called according to his purpose” I. My Early Years: Born in the summer of 1966, and native of Long Beach, California Raised by a beautiful single and hardworking Mother-Mary E. Read more>>

Jeanette Canton

My grooming journey began when I attended a professional pet grooming school. I wanted to learn the right way in technique and safety to understanding each breed’s needs. That experience gave me the foundation to start a real career doing something I loved. After earning my certification, I worked at a veterinary hospital, where I gained hands on experience grooming dogs in a medical setting. Read more>>

Cesilia Ochoa

My name is Cesilia Ochoa, and I’m the owner of Illuxe Balloon Decor. I was first introduced to balloon decor while working at a party supply store after high school. Although I didn’t stay there long, I kept decorating for family parties just for fun. Read more>>

monica grubin

My degree is in integrate physiology and was going to PA school for Othopedic surgery before I took a pure barre class and the owner at the time only had 4 studios in the nation. She wanted me to open on in the OC. So I took my money I had been saving and Bought a license agreement with pure barre in 2008. Read more>>

Maja Nuoffer

I didn’t set out to build a business — I set out to understand healing. Early in my career as a therapist, I kept meeting clients who were doing all the right things — reading the books, going to therapy, practicing self-care — but still waking up exhausted, anxious, or disconnected from themselves. I saw myself in them. Read more>>

Roger Lee

Since childhood, I’ve been passionate about drawing and creating comics, deeply inspired by Disney and Pixar animated films. I always dreamed of becoming part of that magical world, but in 1990s Singapore, there wasn’t much of an animation or visual effects industry. With very limited options available, I enrolled in a three-year diploma program in Film, Sound, and Video at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Read more>>

Shirin Haririnia

Hey there! Oh man, my story is a weird one, but I guess who’s isn’t these days?! Long story short, I had always wanted to be a model. My entire life I lived as a larger girl, and never saw the representation I needed to help me on my journey of confidence and self love. Read more>>

viviana stone

I started painting professionally over forty years ago, almost by accident. We had just moved into a new home, and I wanted to decorate it, but money was tight. Read more>>

Kellen Matsuno

First interest in the field A former high school and college athlete, I was first introduced to physical therapy through my own experiences with injury and rehab. Spending time in training rooms sparked my interest in the field, where I found a perfect blend of performance training, movement, and genuine human connection. Read more>>

Peter Araiza

Araiza Events began with my wife and me — both professional salsa dancers who spent years performing, teaching, and bringing people together through music and movement. Over time, we realized that the same energy, precision, and connection that made dance so powerful were often missing from events. Read more>>

Ed O’Connell

When my daughter was born, we were really intentional about what touched her skin — everything had to be natural, and whenever possible, certified organic. But as she grew, I realized how hard that standard is to maintain. By the time she was a toddler, it was becoming increasingly difficult to find clothes that weren’t made with synthetic fibers. Read more>>

Tracy Slepcevic

My journey began with my son, Noah, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age. At the time, there were very few resources and limited guidance for families like ours. I refused to accept the idea that there was nothing more we could do. Read more>>

Leslie Nguyen

My first nursing job out of school was at a laser hair removal clinic. I really wanted to join the world of aesthetics and thought this would be a good steppingstone. Read more>>

Smita Mistry

Had 2 little kids & did night school until got admission into OT program at Cleveland State University, graduated and started working at Cleveland Clinic near where I lived. Moved to Southern California and took up a job in a busy hospital near home in 2000. Opened my own rehab as outpatient hand clinic in Newport Beach, CA in 2006and prospered until now Read more>>

Jason Brown

Orangkhemist aka Jason Brown is a bass music producer/DJ who resides on the West Coast of California. Since starting his career at Whomp Humboldt he has immersed himself in all levels audio production and bass music culture. In 2019, after a move back to his roots in Southern California , Jason started Citrus Grove Collective & Wub Wedneday. Read more>>

Megan Bowling

I come from a long line of helpers, mainly teachers. I was lucky to know early on how I wanted to help people. After completing my BA in Psychology from Cal Poly Pomona and MA in Clinical Psychology, I gained my clinical hours working with adults who needed to focus on healing their mental health in multiple different areas. Read more>>

Rebecca Sadler

I earned my BSN in 2012 and started my career in labor and delivery, where I spent years caring for women through some of the most meaningful moments of their lives. That experience taught me compassion, precision, and the importance of always leading with integrity . Those values that still guide me every single day. Over time, I realized my passion was evolving. Read more>>

Margaret Van Ackeren

I’ve been fascinated with the human mind and psychology since I was a child. I’ve also loved playing matchmaker for my peers, as well as helping others solve problems, since I can remember. Both of these interests were fortunately something I was able to turn into a career. Read more>>

Megan Ortiz

With pleasure! My name is Megan. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). I clinically treat my clients using a client-centered, holistic approach. I believe my clients are the experts of their life, and that I am here to join and support them on their journey. Read more>>

Brandin Bull

My name is Brandin Bull, DC. I obtained my Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Southern California University of Health Sciences (Los Angeles College of Chiropractic). Prior to attending grad school, I was a Certified Personal Trainer at a boutique gym in the local mountains. Read more>>

Diana Diaz

My name is the Diana Diaz and I am the founder of Deelux Florista & Events. In January 2021, I took the leap of faith and started my business. I decided to build my business around what I love the most: creating beautiful flower arrangements that bring joy to people’s lives. Deelux Florista & Events is a floral and event design company. Read more>>

Shaina Hook

My journey started with a deep love for helping people feel like the best version of themselves, both inside & out. I’ve always been drawn to creativity & connection, so becoming a hairstylist felt like a natural fit. Over the years, I realized that my chair wasn’t just a place for hair transformations, it became a space for emotional healing, meaningful conversations, & self-discovery. Read more>>

Magen Sabo

I started my journey in high school with my own hair and eventually classmates began to ask where I was getting my hair done. Next thing you know I was doing bang trims in the locker room during gym and destroying my parents bathroom with hair color. My path of becoming a hairdresser was clear. Read more>>

Jason Choi

I grew up in Korea until my late twenties and worked for about seven years in the fashion industry. That career gave me opportunities to live in different countries — China, Japan, the Philippines, and eventually Australia. In 2014, I decided to come to the United States — not simply to live abroad, but to test my own potential and values. Read more>>

Tod Novak

Tod Novak founded The Novak Group in 1999 out of a deep passion for helping individuals and organizations increase sales and communicate more effectively. What began as a personal mission to improve human connection in business has evolved into a recognized sales training, coaching and recruiting firm. Read more>>

JC Abusaid

I had spent most of my career in operational roles. I started as an Operations Manager at Halbert Hargrove in 1996. At that time, my goals had always been to work hard, advance in my career, and provide for my family. Becoming CEO was never my plan. Read more>>

Gary Arthur

When Dr. Gary was 8, he broke his leg in a trampoline accident and spent 10 weeks in a full body cast. A year later, he faced the heartbreaking loss of his father, a minister who was only 39, due to multiple health issues. These were only a few of the early challenges that taught Dr. Gary a powerful lesson: health is never guaranteed. Read more>>

Rebecca Montgomery

My journey has been anything but linear. I became a single mom at a young age and had to learn how to be both mother and father to my two daughters. Read more>>

Dino Presutto

I started in the mid 1970’s, working for my father’s tile contracting and retail store. I learned how to grout, mix cement, bid and sell jobs, as well as supervising them through completion. Read more>>

Igor Miranda

I am a filmmaker, a storyteller. I come from Montes Claros, a city in Minas Gerais, Brazil. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a writer, inspired by my grandmother who wrote books. I imagined myself as a novelist one day. Another big influence came from my mother, who owned a DVD rental store. Read more>>

Lauryn Harker

After years working as a Registered Veterinary Technician in management, emergency medicine, and small animal care in pet hospitals throughout Orange County, I found that while patients could generally get diagnosed and begin treatment for their ailments easily, there was a huge gap between diagnosis and recovery. Read more>>

George Barker

I grew up in a family that owned a restaurant and later a cafe in a town called Brighton. From the age of 10 i was helping run food, working as a barista and eventually as a server. Fast forward a few years, university and many restaurants jobs, i was working in London as a consultant. Read more>>

Sarah Jebreil

How I Started and How I Got to Where I Am Today My journey into dentistry wasn’t exactly a deliberate path—it was more like stumbling into a family legacy that shaped my entire career. Growing up in San Diego, I was immersed in the world of oral health from a young age. Read more>>

Kelly Morita

My journey as a healer began following the unexpected loss of my brother in a car accident in 2013. I was living a very different life then -following an earlier calling to civil service, working for the federal government in New York City. My academic studies focused on political science and international relations. I was, in my own way, seeking to become a diplomat. Read more>>

Darya Vahdat

Darya Restaurant was opened back in the 80’s by Ali Salout & Shawn Saloot, brothers who came to US from Iran for better lives. One thing they knew well was how to make the best Kabobs, and they brought that skill with them from over seas. Read more>>

Suzanne Wyman

I thought I would make a living as energy healer .I met a group of Russian woman doing facials and massage and energy healing was an unspoken part of their work.I found them so entrenched in their genetic memories that I couldn’t get an understanding of their purpose .I had a young family and needed income .Working as Psychic was much easier to produce income .Today I have returned to healing work .I believe I am the most public working Psychic alive today .Here is my online credits and television credits www.bestpartypsychicever.com Read more>>

Tara Pierce

Before grad school, I knew I wanted to work in healthcare but wasn’t quite sure which path fit me best. I was drawn to the precision and artistry of cosmetic dentistry, then found myself interested in physical therapy and the way it helps people move and function better. Read more>>

Leslie Joy Dammer

This was a career change for me in my late 40s. I had already owned and built two successful businesses which I sold. Read more>>

Mark Hoover

Influenced by music from a young age I started collecting vinyl records in the late 60’s. I began to realize that I liked all genres of music. I also started to learn about electrical equipment. Soon I built a personal radio station set up so I could make tapes and record music. Read more>>

Brandon Boswell

I’ve always been driven by one simple idea — that progress should be possible for anyone willing to pursue it. My career began in industries where excellence wasn’t optional—aerospace, automotive, and health and wellness—fields that demanded precision, adaptability, and vision. Read more>>

Jenai Solano

I entered education in 2006 as a Resource Specialist Tutor at Pacific High School in San Bernardino, going home each day asking, “How can I help each student more?” That question has guided me ever since. I earned my teaching credential and taught in the San Bernardino City Unified School District from 2007 to 2009. Read more>>

Katharine Hill

My mom had an exclusive distributorship with Novartis home health and she needed help keeping track of her business income and expenses so we bought the quick books program and I got started. This was when I was in high school. I worked for Brinker corporation when I was in my 20’s and I managed multiple stores. Read more>> 

Denise Oldfield

For years, pottery sat quietly on my “someday” list, until August 2019 when I signed up for a one-off pottery class, not realizing how profoundly it would change my life. From the first touch of clay on the wheel, I felt something awaken — a blend of peace, challenge, and pure joy. That single class turned into a passion. Read more>>

Jeanne Gormick

I was a stay-at-home mom with 3 kids. My late husband Cal and I started a fundraising auction business that led to my starting a PR firm – all as homebased businesses. Read more>>

Luke Carlson

Ironically, my professional journey didn’t start in a courtroom — it started in the ocean. I was a competitive surfer growing up on the east coast of Florida, and that passion eventually pulled me west to California in pursuit of better waves. Read more>>

Amir Kazim

I grew up surrounded by dentistry—my earliest memories are of my mom’s dental office in downtown Toronto, where I watched her help patients smile again. That sparked something in me. Fast-forward a few decades, a few degrees, and a lot of coffee later, and I’m now a general dentist in Lake Forest, California, leading Anderson Family Dental. Read more>>

Jonpaul Ugay

I started working at my grandfather‘s restaurant in 1987 when we turned to eight it was a right of passage to go to work with my grandfather. Rudy Perez (Rudy’s mexicatessen) I attempted every major under the sun before realizing restaurants was all I wanted to do. Read more>>

Jeff Hamilton

Since 2015, Dad Academy® has been helping fathers parent with purpose and intention. I’ve spent most of my 35+ year professional career serving families. Along the way, I saw some parents succeed in raising their kids while others struggled. Read more>>